The document discusses plant breeding, defined as the science and art of improving plant genetics for human benefit, aiming for higher yields, improved quality, and resistance to environmental stresses. It highlights the historical significance of plant breeding, especially the role of Gregor Mendel in genetics, and outlines various objectives such as biotic and abiotic resistance, early maturity, and adaptability to different conditions. Modern plant breeding encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines and technologies to enhance crop performance and food security.

1. Introduction,
Objectives of Plant
Breeding
By,
Dr.T.Satyanandam
M.Sc; P.hd
Jesus Satya

2. Plant Breeding Brief Introduction
Plant breeding is the science of changing the traits of plants in order to produce desired
characteristics. It has been used to improve the quality of nutrition in products for humans and animals.
Plant breeding can be accomplished through many different techniques ranging from simply selecting
plants with desirable characteristics for propagation, to methods that make use of knowledge of genetics and
chromosomes, to more complex molecular techniques. Genes in a plant are what determine what type of qualitative
or quantitative traits it will have. Plant breeders strive to create a specific outcome of plants and potentially new
plant varieties.
Plant breeding has been practiced for thousands of years, since near the beginning of human
civilization. It is practiced worldwide by individuals such as gardeners and farmers, and by professional plant
breeders employed by organizations such as government institutions, universities, crop-specific industry
associations or research centers.
International development agencies believe that breeding new crops is important for ensuring food
security by developing new varieties that are higher yielding, disease resistant, drought tolerant or regionally
adapted to different environments and growing conditions.
Gregor Mendel (1822–84) is considered the "father of genetics". His experiments with
plant hybridization led to his establishing laws of inheritance. Genetics stimulated research to improve crop
production through plant breeding.

3. Modern plant breeding is applied genetics, but its scientific basis is broader, covering molecular
biology, cytology, systematics, physiology, pathology, entomology, chemistry, and statistics (biometrics). It has also
developed its own technology.

5. Plant Breeding Definition :
Plant breeding can be defined as an art, a science, and technology of improving the genetic make up of plants in
relation to their economic use for the man kind.
or
Plant breeding is the art and science of improving the heredity of plants for the benefit of mankind. The
professionals who conduct this task are called plant breeders.
Aim :
Plant breeding aims to improve the characteristics of plants so that they become more desirable agronomically (Soil
management and field crop exploitation) and economically.
Objectives of Plant Breeding :
1. Higher yield : The ultimate aim of plant breeding is to improve the yield. It may be grain yield, fodder yield,
fibre yield, tuber yield, cane yield or oil yield depending upon the crop species. Improvement in yield can be
achieved either by evolving high yielding varieties or hybrids.
2. Improved quality: Quality of produce is another important objective in plant breeding. The quality characters
vary from crop to crop. Eg. grain size, colour and baking quality in wheat. Cooking quality in rice, malting quality
in barley, colour and size of fruits, nutritive and keeping quality in vegetables, protein content in pulses, oil content
in oilseeds, fibre length, strength and fineness in cotton.

6. 3. Abiotic resistance : Crop plants also suffer from abiotic factors such as drought, soil salinity, extreme
temperatures, heat, wind, cold and frost, breeder has to develop resistant varieties for such environmental
conditions.
4. Biotic resistance : Crop plants are attacked by various diseases and insects, resulting in considerable yield
losses. Genetic resistance is the cheapest and the best method of minimizing such losses.
5. Change in maturity Duration/Earliness : Earliness is the most desirable character which has several
advantages. It requires less crop management period, less insecticidal sprays. Breeding for early maturing crop
varieties may be an important objective. Maturity has been reduced from 270 days to 170 days in cotton, from 270
days to 120 days in pigeonpea, from 360 days to 270 days in sugarcane.
6. Desirable Agronomic Characteristics : It includes plant height, branching, tillering capacity, growth habit etc.,
Tallness, high tillering and profuse branching are desirable characters in fodder crops.
7. Non-shattering characteristics: The shattering of pods is serious problem in greengram. Hence resistance to
shattering is an important objective in green gram.

7. 8. Synchronous Maturity : It refers to maturity of a crop species at one time. The character is highly desirable in
crops like greengram, cowpea, castor and cotton where several pickings are required for crop harvest.
9. Photo and Thermo insensitivity: Development of varieties insensitive to light and temperature helps in crossing
the cultivation boundaries of crop plants. Photo and thermo-insensitive varieties of wheat and rice has permitted
their cultivation in new areas. Rice is now cultivated in Punjab, while wheat is a major rabi crop in West Bengal.
10. Wider adaptability: Adaptability refers to suitability of a variety for general cultivation over a wide range of
environmental conditions. Adaptability is an important objective in plant breeding because it helps in stabilizing the
crop production over regions and seasons.
11. Varieties for New Seasons :
Traditionally maize is a kharif crop. But scientists are now able to grow maize as rabi crop. Similarly, mung is
grown as a summer crop in addition to the main kharif crop.
Thank you